Things To Do Today In London: Monday 17 July 2017

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Things to do

HEROES AND VILLAINS: The history of the City is littered with mad, bad, brilliant, and dangerous characters. Meet some on this walk, and take a peek at the magnificent Great Hall in the Guildhall Liverpool Street Station, £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm

NEVER ENDING PENCIL: A journey full to the brim with nonsense, heartfelt silliness and quite possibly a song. Celebrate the tomfoolery of life with a man whose greatest achievement is making the perfect ham sandwich. Aces and Eights, £5, book ahead,6.30pm

HOW TO ESCAPE: Those ideas you have, to do something brave, bold, memorable… then they’re swiftly abandoned for being too crazy. Hear the stories of people who have just gone for it, and live the weird, wonderful lives they dreamed. The Escape Cafe (Old Street tube), £15, book ahead,7pm-9pm

LATE NIGHT GIMP FIGHT: These bloody legends have only gone and written too much world class comedy to fit into their Edinburgh set. To decide what makes the final cut, they’re going to spend a week in Soho throwing everything at the wall. Soho Downstairs, £10, book ahead, 7.30pm

EDINBURGH PREVIEW: A tale about a young black girl’s search for superstardom — filled with music, dance, stand-up comedy and audience participation — is brought to the stage before going to Edinburgh. Hackney Showroom, £8, book ahead, 9pm-10pm (repeated tomorrow)

PHOTO WALKS: Capture London’s twinkling landmarks on this walking tour. Whether you’re a night owl or this is your first foray into night photography, you’re sure to add some stunning images to your collection. London Eye, £39, book ahead, 9.15pm-11.45pm

LEAD SUSPECT: This play is a murder mystery with a twist… it’s dogs solving the crime. Based on the curious case of the 2015 Crufts dog show poisoning, the story is told through the eyes of canine competitors. King’s Head Theatre (Islington), £12, book ahead, 9.30pm (until 20 July)

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Electronic music meets classical tunes at this Boxpark gig

An unforgettable fusion of dance, indie, electronic and classical music is coming to Boxpark Croydon on 19 July, courtesy of London Mozart Players. They’ll be joined by an array of exciting new musical talent, with DJ, artist and producer Shift K3y headlining this evening of epic tunes.

Shift K3y is one talented guy, having worked with MNEK, Zara Larsson and Jess Glynne, earning him a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative dance artists. See his energetic dance music brought to life with impressive visuals and a 15-piece orchestra at this Boxpark performance.

With over 30 food and drink traders, you’d be wise to get yourself some grub while you listen. Whether you’re up for Bao Bao’s Taiwanese street food, a taste of Brazil from Carioca, or a protein hit from MeatLiquor, there’s bound to be something to get your mouth watering. Fuel up and get ready to dance at this musical collision like no other. Grab your tickets before they sell out.

Art review: the innocence of children

Copyright Nelson Makamo

South African artist Nelson Makamo creates portraits of children from his homeland evoking the entire emotional range. From a striking close up on a vibrant red background, to a tender black and white piece where a child holds his head in his hands. Nelson Makamo: Souls of Azania at Gallery of African Art, 45 Albemarle st, W1S 4JL,Until 9 September, free ★★★☆☆ (Monday-Saturday) Tabish Khan

Food review: natural prawn grillers

This summer sees the launch of the new BBQ street food menu at Benares, five courses of sharing plates taking you on a quick, tandoor-grill tour of India. Stand-outs are the prawn pani-puri, delicate shells with chunky, tamarind-heavy prawns inside. They’re a blend of crunch and stickiness so moreish we’d be alright with it if the sharing menu were just this dish, five times over. Maybe with a couple of the Green Spice Martinis — fierce with chilli, brightened by coriander — thrown in. It’s a Benares, Mayfair-ish approach to street food — so still intricate dishes and still relatively formal service. But it’s lounge bar rather than restaurant, eating with your hands rather than cutlery. And at £30 a head for the full five dishes — or about £8 a plate — it’s far more affordable than your average Benares experience, a gateway drug into their Michelin-starred cooking and cool, shaded restaurant. BBQ street food menu, running till the end of the summer, Benares, 12a Berkeley Square, W1J 6BS ★★★★☆ Lydia Manch

Theatre review: from queer to eternity

A ‘Privates on Parade’ for the war in the Pacific, Yank! is everything you don’t expect from the cheesy title — a cleverly-constructed and original musical about illicit gay love which avoids all the cliches. It turns in some outstanding musical and emotionally realistic performances (Scott Hunter, Andy Coxon) as well as a ferocious swing-rich score by the Zellnik brothers. There’s also some nifty Lindy hop from the military boys in their tighty whities and the ultimate forces’ sweetheart Sarah-Louise Young (@CabaretWhore) as all the women. Read more here. Yank!Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, WC2 £17.50-£39.50. Until 19 August [Monday-Saturday] ★★★★☆ Johnny Fox

Good cause for the day

ON YER BIKE: Public entry might be closed, but there’s still a chance to sign up and ride one of the biggest cycling events in the UK with your favourite charity. The limb-testing 100 mile route begins at the Olympic Park, then winds through the English countryside and into Surrey, before finally finishing at The Mall. Queen Elizabeth Park, minimum fundraising required, book ahead, 30th July

Funzing

Scientific research is resuming on how psychedelics affect the weirder aspects of human consciousness. This talk from Dr David Luke engages in current study into pyschedelics and their historical use in shamanic rituals. Be prepared, you might leave with more questions than answers. Get tickets

Scientific research is no longer afraid of psychedelics, now studying how they affect the weirder aspects of human consciousness. LDN Talks @ Night present Dr David Luke, and engages in current study into pyschedelics and their historical use in shamanic rituals. Be prepared, you might leave with more questions than answers.

Get more information and tickets: http://bit.ly/2johlRJ (sponsor) Get tickets

Scientific research is no longer afraid of psychedelics, now studying how they affect the weirder aspects of human consciousness. LDN Talks @ Night present Dr David Luke, and engages in current study into pyschedelics and their historical use in shamanic rituals. Be prepared, you might leave with more questions than answers.

Get 50% off next week with code londonist50funzing – code expires Sunday at 11pm

Get more information and tickets: http://bit.ly/2toED29 (sponsor) Get tickets

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